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| Courtesy of the Library of Congress |
Much like its sister foundation The National Film Registry, The National Recording Registry is dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage, but instead of film, this registry honors what we hear. Indeed, much of culture has been captured through sound. Among the pieces in the Registry include Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream Speech, The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band, Orson Welles' dramatic Halloween reading of War of the Worlds, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, FDR's Fireside Chats, George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue, Tom Lerher's intellectual comedy songs, Igor Stravinsky himself conducting The Rite of Spring in New York, the soundtrack to Star Wars, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, Nirvana's Nevermind, and much, much more. That the sounds of America are so rich, so different, so wonderful.
The New York Times reported that Congress passed the National Recording Preservation Act in 2000, in which the Library of Congress was directed to "plan and coordinate a national effort to develop policies and programs to save our nation's recorded sound history and ensure its accessibility to future generations." (Kozinn). According to The Library of Congress this action led to the creation of the National Recording Registry, in which the Librarian, advised by National Recording Preservation Board, annually select up to 25 recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and are at least a decade old. Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, who also heads the National Film Registry, has said,
"These recordings represent an important part of America's culture and history. As technology continually changes and formats become obsolete, we must ensure that our nation's aural legacy is protected. The National Recording Registry is at the core of this effort." ("Hallelujah, The National Recording Registry Reaches 400").
In 2013, The New York Times reported that a new National Recording Recording Preservation Plan was passed, as the plan address ways to preserve and digitize recordings, with focus being put especially on broadcasts and recordings made on neglected, antique, or other "at risk" formats. There are urgent reasons for this, since many precious recordings have been lost. These include about half of all recordings made on cylinders, recordings of Sinatra, Garland, and Gershwin, along with a wire in the Enola Gay that recorded the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima. Billington praised the plan, saying,
"As a nation, we have good reason to be proud of our record of creativity in the sound-recording arts and sciences. However, our collective energy in creating and consuming sound recordings has not been matched by an equal level of interest in preserving them for posterity. Radio broadcasts, music, interviews, historic speeches, field recordings, comedy records, author readings and other recordings have already been forever lost to the American people." (Kozinn).
That it took the National Film Registry until 1989, and the National Recording Registry until 2000 to be put into action shows that the idea of preserving our culture in these formats is a very novel one. It shocks me a bit that it took this long, but I'm grateful to see it happen. With 400 recordings as of 2014, we have a great national treasure trove. One that should be cherished and, of course, heard.
Without further ado, my nominations:
1. The Doors
Artist: The Doors
Release Date: January 4, 1967
Recorded: August 24-31, 1966 at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California.
Label: Elektra
The Doors are one of the most influential and popular rock bands in American history. Their self-titled debut expounds on their signature talents, Jim Morrison's haunting voice and Ray Manzarek's hypnotic keyboard. The album features the famous "Light My Fire" with its endless organ solo, shameless desire in "(Alabama Song) Whiskey Bar", the drug culture "The Crystal Ship" and "The End" an Oedipal, almost scary, avante-garde opus.
2. Pulp Fiction (soundtrack)
Artist: Various, including
Release Date: September 27, 1994
Label: MCA
Much the film, Pulp Fiction, the soundtrack is a watershed mix-tape of American pop culture. The song features hip-hop "Jungle Boogie", classic rock and roll "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon", country throwback, "Son of a Preacher Man," and surfer rock, "Misirlou"/"Surf Rider." The album also contains some of the best dialogue ever recorded, in particular, Samuel L. Jackson's famous "Ezekiel 25:17" speech.
3. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
Artist: Lauryn Hill
Release Date: August 25, 1998
Recorded: 1997-June 1998 at RPM Studios, Chung King Studios, Sony Music Studios, The Hit Factory, and Right Tracks Studios in New York City; Perfect Pair Studios (New Jersey; Marley Music, Inc. and Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston; and House Studios in Miami
Label: Ruffhouse, Columbia
Lauryn Hill's powerful debut crosses the genres of hip-hop, reggae, doo wop, rhythm and blues, soul, rap, gospel and rock music. Each song steeped in a rich poetic tradition referencing Christianity, which has had a strong role in the black cultural tradition with "Forgive Them Father", and "To Zion", the urban experience, "Every Ghetto, Every City," complex viewpoints on romance in "Ex-Factor", "It Hurts So Bad", and "I Used To Love Him," along with references to older musical traditions with "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" and "Doo Wop (That Thing)". The album was also critically acclaimed, earning five Grammys.
4. "American Pie"
Artist: Don McLean
Release Date: November, 1971
Recorded: May 26, 1971
Label: United Artists
Don McLean's poetic anthem of American culture following the deaths of The Big Bopper, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly, or "The Day The Music Died". The song is a call for an earlier, perhaps simpler time in American music and culture that many felt at the time in the wake of a changing landscape. McLean's piece is a great example of contemporary folk, and that genre's ability to resonate with the cultural consciousness.
5. Boston
Artist: Boston
Release Date: August 25, 1976
Recorded: October 1975 – April 1976 at Foxglove Studios in Watertown, Massachusetts • Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California • The Record Plant in Los Angeles, California.
Label: Epic
One of the defining progressive rock albums of the 70's, Boston is unique in the sense that it was technological creation. The music was almost exclusively done by multi-instrumentalist, Tom Scholz, and vocalist Brad Delp, who mixed the various tracks together in his basement. The album captures old memories "More Than A Feeling" and aspirations of fame "Rock & Roll Band." The tracks have become staples of any rock radio station.
6. "Freebird"
Artist: Lynryd Skynryd
Release Date: November 1974
Recorded: April 3, 1973 at Studio One, Doraville, Georgia
Label: MCA
Regarded as one of the most requested songs in American history, the popular "Freebird" is an outstanding example of Lynryd Skynryd's southern rock style. Its aesthetic significance lies with its powerful guitar solo and its expression of the restless American spirit.
7. "Imagine"
Artist: John Lennon
Release Date: October 11, 1971
Recorded: May–June 1971 at Ascot Sound Studios, Ascot and Record Plant East, New York
Label: Apple
John Lennon's "Imagine" is a song that has become synonymous with peace, finding its way in the Olympics and at protest marches. Listed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the greatest songs of all time, "Imagine's" iconic piano and idealistic lyrics have fallen into our cultural subconscious, and resonates strongly with Americans today.
8. The United States of America
Artist: The United States of America
Release Date: March 6, 1968
Recorded: December 7 to 23, 1967
Label: Columbia
One of the great zeitgeist pieces of the 1960's, the album is essentially the sound of America during that tumultuous decade. The album is very experimental, using electronic synthesizers and a variety of instruments including classical ones. Much of the album is enthused in the psychedelic rock music that dominated times with its unconventional directions and poetic lyricism, as heard in "Hard Coming Love" or "The Garden Of Earthly Delights." The very leftist political air is also touched upon in "Song For The Dead Che."
9. "SantaLand Diaries"
Artist: David Sedaris
Release Date: December 23, 1992
Humorist and writer David Sedaris first got his big break after reading excerpts from his "SantaLand Diaries" essay on NPR in 1992. Sedaris gives us the classic holiday tradition of having Santa meet children at the Macy's mall, but from the perspective of a disgruntled elf. Based on true, if not exaggerated, experiences, Sedaris's reading has since become a popular tradition for NPR.
10. Whitney Houston
Artist: Whitney Houston
Release Date: February 14, 1985
Label: Arista
Whitney Houston was one of the most gifted vocalists of the late 20th century. Her singing defined pop music and black artistry for mainstream America. Her self-titled debut, lauded as one of the finest albums of that decade, and even, all time, is a beautiful exhibition of her talents.
Bibliography
"Hallelujah, the 2013 National Recording Registry Reaches 400." The Library of Congress. April 2, 2014. Web. http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2014/14-052.html
Kozinn, Allan. "Now Hear This: Library of Congress Issues Plan to Preserve Recordings." The New York Times. February 14, 2013. Web. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/now-hear-this-library-of-congress-issues-plan-to-preserve-recordings/
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